Congo Flag

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Brief History. The Portuguese arrived in the central African region intent on expanding their slave trading interests, but Portuguese power weakened and the French began to assume supremacy in western Africa. The Congo achieved full independece in 1960, one year after becoming autonomous. The Congo became a People's Republic, with Marxist-Leninist leanings. After a series of government changes, the Congo took steps towards the formation of a multiparty democracy in 1990. Opposition parties were officially legalized in 1991 with presidential elections in 1992. But in 1997, fighting broke out in the capital when the president tried to have his principal opponent arrested just prior to new elections.

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Country Information

Local name: Congo

Capital: Brazzaville

Population: 3,702,314

Government: republic

Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF)

Land size: 342,000 sq km

Topography: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin

Typical foods:

Major exports: petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds

Information on the People

Official language: French

Other languages spoken: Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)

Religions: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%

Literacy rate: 83.8%

Male/Female Ratio: 0.99 male(s) to every 1 female

Life expectancy: 52.8 years

Ethnic groups: Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3%

Internet users: 36,000

Famous people:

  

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